Mysore airport upgradation work to be completed by 2008-end

Mysore, Feb 14 (UNI) The long cherished dream of an airport for the city is all set to become a reality by the end of next year, when light aircraft were expected to land at the completion of the upgradation work at the airfield here.

Inspecting the ongoing work along with Mr C H Vijayashankar, MP, Airports Authority of India (AAI) Deputy General Manager M N N Rao told newspersons that two runways of 1,748 M and 1,350 M would be laid in the first phase, besides basic infrastructure works. The first phase, costing Rs 70 crore, would be completed by 2008-end to facilitate landing of 70-seater ATR aircraft.

He said that apart from the present 242 acres of land, the airport upgradation required the acquisition of 174 acres, of which 154 acres had been handed over to the AAI. Litigation over the remaining land had been cleared and it was expected to be handed over to the AAI in a week's time.

Mr Rao said the AAI decided to take up the second phase also simultanenously as the Indian Air Force, Aerospace Aviation and many foreign companies had evinced keen interest in setting up pilot training centre here. The Mysore airport would have Instrumental Landing System (ILS), facilitating landing of aircraft even in bad weather.

In the second phase, another 94 acres of land would be required.

A decision was awaited from the National Highways department to realign the highway running beside the airport. The Karnataka Infrastructure Department Principal Secretary had held two rounds of talks with the Chief Engineer and Executive Engineer of National highways and a decision would be taken soon.

With the completion of the second phase, the Mysore airport would become a full-fledged airport, able to handle bigger aircraft like Boeing 737 and Airbus 320, he added.

UNI